The Presidio's weekly Off the Grid Sunday Picnic will continue through October.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

The Presidio's weekly Off the Grid Sunday Picnic will continue...

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A plaque marks the site of John Pershing's home at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco as the Off the Grid Sunday picnic goes on in the distance.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

A plaque marks the site of John Pershing's home at the Main Post of...

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Jenny and Steve Prideaux visit the site of John Pershing's home at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Jenny and Steve Prideaux visit the site of John Pershing's home at...

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Jenny and Steve Prideaux visit the site of John Pershing's home at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco. A stream of water runs from the El Polin Spring in the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Jenny and Steve Prideaux visit the site of John Pershing's home at...

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(Left to Right) Lara Williams, Jonathan Warner, Herdah Warner, Max Warner, Hudson Ting, and Susan Ting hang out at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

(Left to Right) Lara Williams, Jonathan Warner, Herdah Warner, Max...

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Glenn and Shelly Miskulin of Canada relish in a fried chicken feast at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco on Sunday, June 28, 2014.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Glenn and Shelly Miskulin of Canada relish in a fried chicken feast...

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An American flag casts a shadow over cannon balls at the site of John Pershing's home at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

An American flag casts a shadow over cannon balls at the site of...

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Ian McNicholl receives his order from Fins on the Hoof at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Ian McNicholl receives his order from Fins on the Hoof at Off the...

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A haute dog and fries the Main Post of the Presidio from Fins on the Hoof are ready to eat at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco. A haute dog and fries from Fins on the Hoof food truck are ready to eat at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

A haute dog and fries the Main Post of the Presidio from Fins on...

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Duncan Allard pays a visit to his neighbors at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Duncan Allard pays a visit to his neighbors at Off the Grid Sunday...

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Peyton Lee, 9, readies to swing a bat at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Peyton Lee, 9, readies to swing a bat at Off the Grid Sunday picnic...

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Lydia Bettles, left, holds a bucket of beer as Elizabeth Behle holds Bettles' son Oliver at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco on Sunday, June 28, 2014.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Lydia Bettles, left, holds a bucket of beer as Elizabeth Behle...

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Organic berries are part of the fair offered at Off the Grid Sunday picnic at the Main Post of the Presidio in San Francisco on Sunday, June 28, 2014.

Photo: Mathew Sumner, Special To The Chronicle

Organic berries are part of the fair offered at Off the Grid Sunday...

If you like street food, music, kids, dogs, libations and views, then the Presidio's Off the Grid Sunday Picnic is for you. Every Sunday through October, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the lawn on the Presidio's Parade Ground becomes a party locale filled with frolicking families. There are food trucks and tents with offerings for every possible taste from oxtail to tofu. (For more information, go to http://bit.ly/1je8wCY.)

The Parade Ground lawn is located on the Main Post across from the Walt Disney Museum. Bring a blanket.

Take in some history

After you are sated, explore the Parade Ground's rich history. The Main Post is where a Spanish garrison was established in 1776. Larger than Golden Gate Park, the Presidio was originally a tiny square, 90 paces (300 feet) on each side. Near the flagpole, you can see a marker showing the northwest corner.

The flagpole also marks the site of the home of Gen. John Pershing, once commander of the Presidio. While he was away, chasing Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa in 1915, a fire in his home killed his wife and three daughters. His son survived.

An information sign shows you how the Presidio looked in 1776. Notice it was primarily windswept, treeless dunes. There were Ohlone nearby and maybe even some grizzly bears.

See an exhibit

At Building 103, the Montgomery Street Barracks (to the left of the Disney Museum), is the Presidio's latest exhibit, "Crown Jewels: Five Great National Parks Around the World and the Challenges They Face." The exhibit is free, and docents will show you around. It is open to the public through Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, go to www.presidio.gov/crownjewels.

The little building on the south end of the lawn (Building 95) is the powder magazine, built during the Civil War to protect armaments and gun powder. Today its 4-foot-thick walls house the art installation "Tree Fall" by Andy Goldsworthy. It is open to the public for docent-led tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tours are also available during the week by appointment; for reservations, call (415) 561-5300. The Presidio also hosts two other Goldsworthy works, "Spire" and "Wood Line," both inspired by the Presidio's historic forest of eucalyptus, cypress and pine. For more information on Goldsworthy's work, go to http://1.usa.gov/Q8wXJm.

Go on a hike

Time to work off that creme brulee! Get a map at the Visitor Center (Building 105 on Montgomery Street). Pick up the Ecology Trail behind the Inn at the Presidio, which is at the southeast corner of the Main Post. From there you can stroll to Inspiration Point, take in the view and look at Goldsworthy's "Spire" across Arguello Boulevard.

You can also turn left off the Ecology Trail (follow the map) and visit El Polin Spring. According to legend, if a young maiden drank from this spring, she would become greatly fertile. Recently restored, El Polin is home to many native plants and birds. There is also a picnic area with barbecue pits, benches and bilingual exhibits. A section of creek once buried by a storm drain is now open.

You can also see remnants of the home of Mexican American pioneer Juana Briones, who moved to the spring in 1812.

Off the Grid: Twilight

While the Sunday Picnic is getting into full swing, Off the Grid's weekly Twilight at the Presidio wraps up Thursday. The evening includes lantern-lit cabanas, cocktail service, fire pits and acoustic music, and it runs from 4 to 9 p.m. More information at http://bit.ly/1r0bCOj.

If you go

Presidio Picnic: Public transportation: The PresidiGo downtown shuttle offers weekend service every half hour from the Embarcadero BART/Muni Station and the Transbay Terminal. It takes you to the Transit Center, across Lincoln Boulevard, only a few steps from the picnic area. During construction, the Embarcadero shuttle stop is actually on Drumm Street right before Washington Street. www.presidiobus.com. The Muni No. 43 stops at Letterman Drive and Lincoln Boulevard, a short walk to the Main Post. By car: Enter the Presidio through the Arguello Gate on Arguello Boulevard at Jackson Street. Continue north on Arguello until it ends. Note that there is a fee for parking.